Check out this article to learn more about:
  • Porn is highly addictive and very accessible.
  • Stigma makes it hard to get help.
  • With support, recovery is possible.
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This article was written by Shakil Mirza*, MPH, and Issra Killawi, B.A. 
*Shakil Mirza is a guest writer for The FYI, and currently a helpline counselor at Naseeha.
“We do not watch pornography--it’s haram (forbidden).”
Many of us in religious communities mistakenly assume that upholding a religious belief (pornography is forbidden) is enough to protect us from engaging in immoral behavior. Although we may assume that pornography addiction is not a struggle faced by Muslims, reality tells us differently.  

Preliminary research findings shared by The FYI point to the prevalence in pornography consumption–59% of immigrant-origin Muslim youth indicated that they viewed pornography (many of them doing so weekly or monthly). At the Naseeha Helpline, about 20-30 calls monthly are related to pornography addiction. When looking for help, callers say that it’s difficult to find resources for Muslims trying to overcome an addiction to porn. 

Despite the fact that this issue is becoming prevalent in our communities, there is much work to be done in helping people overcome the addiction.  As a community, it is important that we create a pathway to recovery for those who are seeking it. The first step in providing support is recognizing that pornography addiction is a mental health challenge and understanding the stigma associated with it.

Here are three things everyone should know about pornography addiction: 

1. Porn is highly addictive and very accessible.

It’s important to see this issue as more than just a choice to sin. When viewing porn persists to the point of addiction, it needs to be treated as such. Viewing porn literally changes the brain. It does so in the same way that addictive substances like tobacco and other drugs do.
  • With continued use, porn disrupts the part of the brain that helps a person make healthy decisions. This makes it difficult for someone to avoid watching porn even when they want to stop.
  • What makes this addiction even more challenging is how accessible the “drug” e.g. porn is. Anyone can view porn for free with an internet connection.
  • Exposure to porn has become very common, even at a young age. Among Muslim young adults, 61% were exposed to explicit material between 11 to 14 years old. [1]
  • Many people are exposed to porn unintentionally. In 2010, approximately 1 in 4 youth Internet users reported an unwanted exposure to sexual material. [2] For many people, accidental exposure can eventually turn into addiction.
  • Teenagers are especially vulnerable to developing an addiction to porn. As they are physically developing and learning about their bodies, many come across pornography either intentionally or accidentally. They continue watching out of curiosity and - with time and a developing brain- find themselves struggling to quit.

2. Stigma makes it hard to get help.

Muslims who struggle with porn addiction may not reach out for help for various reasons: 
  • Shame. Some people are overwhelmed with shame and keep their addiction undisclosed from anyone else. They assume that they are the only ones struggling with this issue.
  • "Sins are private." Some people avoid getting help out of concern that they should keep their sins private from others. This concern overlooks the fact that addiction is difficult to overcome without support, and that reaching out for help is not the same as publicly sharing your wrongdoings.
  • "Religious people don’t watch porn." The misconception that “religious people should not struggle with porn addiction” prevents many from reaching out for help. These individuals feel that being a good Muslim and having a pornography addiction just don’t go together, and that they shouldn’t be struggling with this issue in the first place. Despite trying to uphold their religious responsibilities, they still struggle with the addiction. For them, this is to make sense of, let alone share with anyone else.
  • Where to get help? Lastly, for many, they simply don’t know where to turn for confidential help with a porn addiction. For Muslim youth specifically, many felt that they can not turn to their families or the Muslim community for support. [3]

3. With support, recovery is possible.

Say, Oh my servants who have transgressed against themselves by sinning, do no despair of the mercy of Allah. Indeed, Allah forgives all sins. Indeed, it is He who is the Forgiving, the Merciful. (Az-Zumar 53)
Most individuals stuck in the cycle of addiction feel as if they wronged their souls beyond redemption through this addiction. But we have hope in Allah’s Mercy, which is necessary for healing and recovery.  As a community, it’s really important that we embody hope and support for our brothers and sisters who struggle with pornography addiction. We must encourage each other through each step of the recovery process, no matter how many setbacks happen.   
Create a safe space. Shame is one of the biggest reasons that people get stuck in the cycle of addiction. They begin to believe that they’re unworthy of help from others. Providing a safe space in our own social circles, online spaces, and personal conversations can disrupt the cycle of addiction and shame. Learn what to say and what not to say.
  • Guide them to the right place. Recovery from porn requires a treatment plan, support from trusted allies and many times, help from a trained therapist. With so many people in our communities struggling, it’s important that we know this and direct people to the right resources. 
  • Increase awareness. As a community, we can use different platforms in the community (i.e. Jummah Khutba, programs at the masjid, youth groups and camps) to bring awareness to the issue, to make people feel less alone in their struggle, and encourage them to get help. Share resources on your social media pages–you never know who is watching and needs them.
We can also spread the word about resources that support porn addiction recovery for Muslims, including The FYI Porn Addiction Toolkit and the NASEEHA Mental Health Helpline. 

Pornography addiction, among many others, is a challenge for many men and women in our communities. By providing more pathways to support and recovery, we can lift a great deal of hardship and shame from the shoulders of those struggling. Let’s remember the words of the Prophet Muhammad PBUH, when he said:
“If anyone relieves a Muslim believer from one of the hardships of this worldly life, Allah will relieve him of one of the hardships of the Day of Resurrection. If anyone makes it easy for the one who is indebted to him (while finding it difficult to repay), Allah will make it easy for him in this worldly life and in the Hereafter, and if anyone conceals the faults of a Muslim, Allah will conceal his faults in this world and in the Hereafter. Allah helps His slave as long as he helps his brother.” (Muslim)
References:

1: The FYI’s Porn Toolkit – Needs Assessment 

2: http://unh.edu/ccrc/pdf/Unwanted%20Exposure%203%20of%204%20YISS%20Bulletins%20Feb%202014.pdf

3: The FYI’s Porn Toolkit – Needs Assessment 
3 Things You Should Know About Porn Addiction